KUALA LUMPUR — Ghosts and spirits have long been staples of horror films, but sometimes the most unsettling horrors come not from the supernatural, but from the cruelty people inflict on one another.

This is the central idea behind The Confessions of a Shaman.

This Thai horror-thriller directed by Natthanon Cholumpi explores grief, injustice and desperation through a story involving black magic while examining how personal suffering can drive people toward disturbing choices.

Thai horror cinema has long drawn inspiration from folklore, spiritual beliefs and occult traditions.

The Confessions of a Shaman uses these familiar elements as a backdrop to explore human suffering and the increasingly blurred boundaries between victim and perpetrator.

At the centre of the story is Tor, played by Teeradetch Metawarayut, whose life takes a devastating turn following a series of injustices.

Overwhelmed by grief, Tor turns to black magic in search of retribution, setting him on a path shaped by anger and increasingly disturbing choices.

Rather than relying solely on supernatural encounters to create fear, the film examines what drives Tor’s transformation, showing how personal tragedy can push someone toward darkness.